Lake Montclair Tri - Post-Race

After the race, I was scattered. There's no better explanation. The race volunteers took my timing chip, I got my finisher's medal and bottle of water, and I was turned loose. Found Pat and Kate, sweaty hugs all around. Kate presented me with a celebratory bag of Sport Beans. I resisted the urge to collapse on the ground and walked around for 15 min. I went to see the TNT contingent, but I bounced from group to group and conversation to conversation. I was ecstatic, but still, I think, drawn inward after three hours of solo time. I think I may have short-changed some of the people who went to so much effort to be out at 7 or 8am on a Sunday, but I just couldn't get fully present.

I couldn't even form a coherent sentence. So I sat, I joked, I hydrated and ate my Beans. And I cheered in all those other pals of mine, each of whom pushed in with huge smiles.

After everyone was in and awards were handed out (two of our athletes placed in their divisions - including one in her first tri EVER!), a group of us headed back up to the parking lot for a barbecue. Pat grilled us up some burgers and dogs, others contributed beverages, fruit and chips. And we feasted! It was a great way to wrap up the event.

And here I am, one day post-event. I am still riding the euphoric wave that started, I think, when I started the swim and realized that it would be okay. I'm also wondering what comes next. But mostly I'm savoring the experience. It's been so much of my life since January. I wonder where I'll be without Saturday bricks, or Thursday morning swims, with my training group. The things that were so foreign, that took so much physical and emotional effort to incorporate into my self, now feel comfortable, and it's the NEW unknown that seems strange.

There are, of course, other things. Other draws, some physical, some not. I have a huge engineering exam in October that is an endurance event in and of itself. We have a wedding to plan. There are century rides and hikes and backpacking trips and vacations and museums. So it'll be about finding a new balance.

I don't think that the blog ends here. There's still more to say. But right now, it's time for ice cream. I'll be back - hope you will, too. At minimum, I've gotta get some of these pictures developed and posted!